Scots are being urged to get their Christmas cards and parcels sent off early this year, with the first national deadline falling on Monday December 12 amid ongoing strike action.
This first deadline is for more cost-effective 2nd class deliveries, which was recently pushed back from its original date of December 19. The deadline for more expensive 1st class stamps will be just five days later, on December 16.
The Royal Mail are asking people to get their letters in early this year, to ensure that they arrive in time for Christmas. Unfortunately for those posting abroad, the deadline for economy packages has now passed.
The deadlines for UK packages are as follows:
- Monday December 12: Royal Mail 2nd Class, 2nd Class Signed For & Royal Mail 48
- Friday December 16: 1st Class 1st, Class Signed For, Royal Mail 24 & Royal Mail Tracked 48
- Monday December 19: Royal Mail Tracked 24
- Wednesday December 21: Special Delivery Guaranteed
Nick Landon, Chief Commercial Officer, Royal Mail, said: "We ask our customers to post early for Christmas to help us deliver Christmas."
He has said the dates have had to move as a result of CWU union strike action which will take place in December on 11, 14, 15, 23 and 24. The Royal Mail adds it will continue to deploy a range of contingency plans to keep communities, businesses and the country connected throughout the industrial action.
However, the CWU has warned that there could be disruption during the festive season as letters and deliveries stack up, causing a "Christmas meltdown".
CWU General Secretary Dave Ward said: "Royal Mail bosses are risking a Christmas meltdown because of their stubborn refusal to treat their employees with respect.
"Postal workers want to get on with serving the communities they belong to, delivering Christmas gifts and tackling the backlog from recent weeks."
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